The University of California – Davis has initiated a research and technology demonstration facility dubbed the Biogas Energy Project which aims to turn tons of leftover and table scrap into clean and renewable energy for use in households and automobiles. Initially, the facility will process over eight tons of leftovers weekly sourced from premier restaurants around San Francisco. If all goes well, the project will eventually process about eight tons of leftover daily. Every ton of leftovers can produce enough energy to power 10 average California households in one day.

The Biogas Energy Project will demonstrate the technology developed by Ruihong Zhang (pictured), a UC Davis professor of biological and agricultural. Called the “anaerobic phased solids digester” has now been licensed and adapted for commercial use by Onsite Power Systems. This public-private alliance aims to reduce the amount of organic mater in landfills and convert them to clean energy.

The technology will produce two clean energy gases – hydrogen and methane which can be used to produce electricity and heat or to propel cars, trucks and buses.

A new climate control technology will soon eliminate manual defogging in many late model automobiles. The new automatic defrost/anti-fogging system detects cabin humidity and the temperature outside the vehicle then automatically adjusts the climate controls. This prevents fog and dew from forming on the windshields. Usually in current models, drivers will have to fumble with the A/C system and the defrost buttons. With the automatic climate control, drivers will not have to take their attention off the road to adjust the controls, thus making driving safer.

Some newer climate control systems now also offer fuel-saving mode which keeps the humidity higher when it detects no risk of fog. However, the automatic defogger is limited only for the windshield and side windows, not the rear glass. Also, the defogger won’t prevent dew and fog to accumulate in vehicles that are parked outside overnight. Current and upcoming vehicles offering this new technology, generally as a standard feature, include the 2007 Acura MDX; Volvo S80; Audi A8, S8; BMW 3,5,6. Meanwhile, other automakers offer alternative fog reducing features such as heated washer fluid and outside mirrors.

Innovations like these are always welcome. However, sometimes they are not offered as standard equipment in cheaper car models. Usually, they will come as an optional package requiring the car buyer to shell out a few hundred dollars extra.

The new 2007 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class is Motor Trend’s SUV of the year. The GL450 bested twenty two other SUVs to grab the accolade. The Benz GL450 comes with a seven-speed transmission and a V8 engine producing 335hp output. It is also the first full-size SUV from Mercedes-Benz. Motor Trend cited the GL450’s third row seating, which the magazine found to be the most comfortable among all the SUVs tested. The GL450 is also cited for being one of three SUVs with real off-road capability – the other two being the Jeep Wrangler and the Toyota FJ Cruiser.

The magazine further described the Mercedes-Benz GL450 as the “21st Century station wagon, neither truck-based nor car-based”. “In every facet, from performance to the interior, (the GL450) is a winner”, said Motor Trend Editor-in-chief Angus MacKenzie. Other SUVs tested included the new Acura RDZ and MDX, Ford Edge, Ford Expedition and the four SUVS from GMC.

The all-new Chrysler Aspen, the first SUV from the automaker, will be the first full-size SUV to offer standard Trailer Sway Control Technology when it arrives at dealerships this month. Trailer Sway Control technology is introduced to improve trailer stability and increase towing safety. It helps reduce trailer sway and improves the SUV’s handling especially in difficult driving and towing conditions.

The technology uses vehicle yaw sensors that detect sway caused by the trailer. It then applies brake pressure on one front wheel to counteract the sway caused by the trailer. It will also apply brake pressure on all four wheels to slow down the vehicle. If the trailer sways to the other side of the vehicle, the controls will increase brake pressure on the other side. This ensures that the vehicle and the trailer are under control. “Chrysler Aspen will give customers more peace of mind in towing conditions with segment exclusive Trailer Sway Control,” said Mike Donoughe, Vice President - Body-on-frame Product Team, Chrysler Group.

Toyota and Honda dominated the list of the top vehicle models with the highest fuel economy ratings released by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy. Five of the top ten most fuel efficient vehicles in the U.S. today were manufactured by Toyota, now the world’s second largest automaker. The hybrid car Toyota Prius topped the list with a fuel economy rating of 60 mpg city and 51 mpg highway.

Meanwhile, Honda’s Civic hybrid and Fit were also cited for their high fuel economy scores with the gas-sipping Civic coming only second to the Prius. The list is rounded up by other Asian models: the Hyundai Accent and Kia Rio tied for 9th place. Meanwhile, the Ford Escape FWD and 4WD were the only domestic models on the list.

As part of Toyota’s efforts to help reduce the number of car accidents resulting from drunk driving, the company will offer drivers a chance to experience how it is to drive under the influence of alcohol, according to a report by Japan Today. The “drunk driving” experience program will be offered at Toyota’s safety training center at the Fuji Speedway circuit in Shizuoka Prefecture. Drunk driving and the dangerous consequences resulting from it have become a serious social issue as the number of fatalities and injuries keep rising.

In the program, visitor will drive through a course wearing specially-designed goggles that impair the driver’s sense of distance and peripheral vision. The goggles simulate the impairment of steering and vehicle operation judgment of drivers when drunk. The virtual drunk driving experience will be available to private and corporate participants.

There is a new player in the hybrid gasoline/electric vehicle segment – The 2007 Nissan Altima Hybrid. The new hybrid vehicle will debut at the 2007 Model Orange County Auto Show in Anaheim, California last October 4 – 8, 2006. It is in fact Nissan’s first entry into the growing segment, a realization of Nissan’s commitment of Passionate Driving and Passion for the Environment.

The new version of the Altima offers the same blend of performance, style and convenience people have come to expect from the Altima, one of the best selling sedans in North America today. Now, with the hybrid version, the Altima offers the benefits of better fuel economy and lower emissions.

The new Nissan Altima hybrid will be available in early 2007. It will feature a 2.5-liter 4-cyklinder engine combined mated to an electronic Continuously Variable Transmission with an electric motor and generator. The hybrid system has a net power of 198 horsepower. This system increases the Altima Hybrid’s fuel economy to about 41 mpg on city driving and 36 mpg on highways.

All roads lead to Paris from Sept. 30 to Oct. 15 as the 2006 Mondial de l’Automobile opens at the Paris Expo, Porte De Versailles. Just like in previous Paris Motor Shows, automakers from all over the globe will turn out in full force to reveal their latest brand new models and concept car designs. This year, the spotlights will be on the latest hybrid and alternative fuel cars competing with high-end luxury cars and exotics for the public’s attention. Companies from Audi to Toyota will unveil their hottest new models and show a glimpse of their future design directions.

European automakers will take the covers off their top new models. The French have a number of major launches up their sleeves including Citroen’s midsize C4 Picasso and futuristic C-Métisse concept car. Meanwhile, Citroen’s mother company Peugeot is hoping that its Epure and 908 RC concept cars will both be a success. Another French automaker, Renault, will show off its new Nepta, a cabriolet concept with motor driven gull wings, 3.5-liter V6 engine, and 420-hp direct-injection gasoline engine.

Read the rest of this entry »